Sasikala to meet party cadre from January 4

The five-day meet with party functionaries is said to be held to get their views about her taking over as CM. As she must contest and win election to ensure continuity as Chief Minister, party cadre support is essential. “It is to ensure this that Sasikala plans to meet lower level party functionaries. But whether she will contest from RK Nagar which Jayalalithaa represented is a moot question,” an AIADMK leader said.   

Rumours were rife on Monday evening when all ministers lead by Chief Minister O Paneerselvam arrived at Poes Garden at about 7.30 pm. It was stated that Paneerselvam planned to request her to take over his post as Chief Minister. Though party organising secretary C Ponnayan said that the meeting was to participate in the unveiling of a photo of Jayalalithaa at Poes Garden by Sasikala, this did not ring true for two reasons. 

When CM Paneerselvam rushed to Poes Garden to hand over a copy of the General Council resolution making her General Secretary, Sasikala received the copy and placed it in front of Jayalalithaa’s photo in the portico before taking it in hand. Also, after the ministers left Poes Garden, Paneerselvam alone stayed behind raising speculation again. 

Then the Chief Minister rushed to the state secretariat, followed by the media, where all ministers were again gathered. However, the Chief Minister did not release an official statement regarding what transpired at Poes Garden.